Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41935363›Full record

ArticleCurrent medical imaging2026

Comparative Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy of OPG and CBCT in the Evaluation of Impacted Mandibular third Molar Proximity to the Mandibular Canal.

Bhavana Sujanamulk, Ahmed A Almeshari, Nayanala Venkata Anusha, Chaganti Ashok, Bharani Krishna Takkella, Rohith Vadlamani

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Current medical imaging, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Bhavana SujanamulkDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed A AlmeshariDepartment of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Diagnostic Sciences, Division of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Faculty of Dentistry, Najran University, Najran, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.ORCID 0009-0000-2150-3203
Nayanala Venkata AnushaDepartment of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Drs. Sudha and Nageswararao Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences, Dr. N.T.R University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.ORCID 0000-0002-5703-1241
Chaganti AshokDepartment of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, Nimra Dental College, Dr.N.T.R University of Health Sciences, Jupudi, Andhra Pradesh, India.ORCID 0009-0009-4277-7962
Bharani Krishna TakkellaDepartment of Oral Medicine & Radiology, Drs. Sudha and Nageswararao Siddhartha Institute of Dental Sciences, Dr. N.T.R University of Health Sciences, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Rohith VadlamaniGeneral Dentist, Terre Haute, Indiana, United States of America.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMandibular third molars are the most frequently impacted teeth. The proximity of impacted third molars to the inferior alveolar canal requires particular consideration during extraction. Hence, we aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of CBCT and OPG using radiographic signs of Rood and Shebab's and find out the risk of mandibular nerve injury.

methodsA prospective study was conducted in 50 subjects. All patients underwent digital OPG evaluation based on Winter's classification of impacted teeth and Rood and Shehab's classification of seven radiographic signs. Cases with any positive finding were examined using CBCT to assess the positioning of the mandibular canal and alveolar ridge.

resultsHorizontal and mesioangular impactions were at higher risk of inferior alveolar nerve damage (p< 0.01 and p < 0.05) along with lingual position of canal (p<0.001), Darkening of roots, interruption of the mandibular canal (p<0.001), and diversion of the mandibular canal (p< 0.04) were associated with a higher risk of damage during extractions. DISCUSSION: The current study confirmed that horizontal and mesioangular impactions showed a significant association with the absence of cortication between the mandibular canal and third molar roots, indicating a high risk of nerve injury, similar to other studies. Also, CBCT has been proven to be the best imaging modality owing to its high diagnostic accuracy.

conclusionIn the current study, CBCT was considered the gold standard, and diagnostic accuracy was higher than OPG. There was fair agreement about the mesioangular and horizontal impaction and their proximity to the mandibular nerve.

Indexed as

Cone-Beam Computed TomographyMandibular CanalMolar, ThirdRadiography, PanoramicTooth, ImpactedAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMaleMandibleProspective StudiesReproducibility of ResultsSensitivity and SpecificityYoung AdultAlveolar nerve damageCBCT (cone beam computed tomography)IAN (inferior alveolar nerve)Impacted mandibular molarMC (mandibular canal)OPGRood and Shehab’s radiographic signs

Identifiers

PMID41935363
PMCPMC13575942

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